American journalist deported from Aceh

" An American freelance journalist believed to be linked with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has been deported from Aceh after attempting to enter the province on Feb. 8. It marks the fifth deportation for 50-year-old Willian Nessen since he was first barred from...

Mangrove forest areas in North Sumatra degrading

"Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Around 60 percent of the total 85,393 hectares of mangrove forest areas in North Sumatra, were damaged seriously."Most of the mangrove areas have been damaged due to the opening of shrimp ponds and human encroachment," Director of Sumatra...

West Sumatra forestry service to plant 2 mln trees in 2008

"Last year, the province succeeded in planting around 1.2 million trees on barren lands, West Sumatra`s forestry service head Syahrial Syam said here on Tuesday.In 2009, the province would plant 2.5 million trees on arid areas and om school yards, he said.The provincial...

Riau residents feel the shocks waves of Padangsidempuan earthquake

"Pekanbaru (ANTARA News) - The people of Riau living in Rokan Hilir (Rohil) regency and Dumai city felt the shocks of an earthquake which struck Padangsidempuan, North Sumatra, Monday at 9:26 p.m West Indonesia time."The quake struck Padangsidempuan with a magnitude of 6.1 on...

Indonesia, Uzbekistan advised to be alert to terrorism

"Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - The governments of Indonesia and Uzbekistan need to be alert to all kinds of terrorist activities which could harm the two countries, an expert said."Terrorist acts that disrupt security in a country must be prevented from happening,"...

Quake measuring 5.4 on Richter scale hits West Sumatra

"Padang (ANTARA News) - An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale rocked western coastal areas of West Sumatra on Monday at about 6 a.m., a staff member of the Padang Panjang district meteorology and geophysics agency, M Fitri, said here Monday.Fitri said the quake...

PGN planning to build three LNG terminals

"State gas company PT Gas Negara Tbk/PGN is planning to build three LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals at a total cost of US$1.782 billion in Java and Sumatra, the company`s chief said. "The terminals are needed in line with the increase in demand for gas that will happen...

Tectonic earthquake rocks Padang anew

Padang (ANTARA News) - A tectonic earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale jolted Padang city again at 9.37 local time on Monday morning, Padang Panjang Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) spokesperson Nana Diana has said.She said the epicenter of the quake was...

Powerful quake hits off Indonesia`s Sumatra island

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 struck off Indonesia's Sumatra island early Monday, officials said Monday.The quake struck at sea at 9:37am (0237 GMT) some 34 kilometres (22 miles) below ground, Indonesia's metereology and geophysics office told...